Saffron, while it's fairly hardy in hardiness zones 5 to 8, has specific climate needs that must be met for successful cultivation. It thrives in regions with hot, dry summers and cold winters.

It is leafless with star-shaped, lavender-pink to lilac-pink flowers. Saffron crocus is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9.

It’s hard work to harvest, but a growing cadre of small farmers and home gardeners are cultivating the spice for profit, or simply pleasure. Bulb-like corms, at top, produce saffron crocuses.

the city at the heart of Iran's saffron growing region. After years hampered by American sanctions, which meant a lot of Iranian saffron ended up exported in bulk to be repackaged and sold as ...